ST.GEORGE – St. George celebrated its 152nd birthday Saturday with events geared to connecting residents with leaders who are responsible for forming local laws and policies, while intermingling a bit of January family fun.

“We have great traditions, and this is one of those,” Mayor Jon Pike said while visiting with people at the annual free root beer float event at the Main Street Social Hall. “I’m just glad it’s a day with beautiful weather.”

St. George was officially chartered Jan. 17, 1862, and on Saturday the city offered a day of free swimming at Sand Hollow Aquatic Center on the west side of town, free admission to the Arts Museum, free rides on the SunTran public bus service and, of course, the root beer floats.

A steady flow of people passed through the serving line as City Council members dished up the refreshment and offered sugary cookies, a sign of increased involvement by residents since the first heritage celebration when former Mayor Dan McArthur went around to local grocery stores singing “Happy Birthday” through a loudspeaker to boost participation.

“During the years, people have really gone to great lengths to show some of those trades and skills that pioneers learned when they were first here in Dixie,” Pike said. “We’ve simplified (the Heritage Days event) in the last few years.”

Crowds gathered at the Children’s Museum on Town Square, which opened its doors in November but waited until the city celebration to officially host grand-opening ceremonies, which included a second ribbon cutting that placed city leaders and crowned royalty alongside a life-sized “Minion,” one of the Twinkie-resembling characters in the movie “Despicable Me.”

“The reason we (waited for the grand opening) was to just kind of practice being a museum,” said Gail Bunker, a former councilwoman who serves as the museum board’s president.

“They wanted to do it on the (city’s) birthday, which I think is very applicable, since they’re in one of these historic buildings,” Pike said. “We see it as a win-win because it brings more families, more young people to Town Square, to downtown, and it connects people to our city center.”

The museum operates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit that relies on donations and sponsorships to survive, and Pike said the city is providing support for the present in the form of reduced rent and utilities charges.

Becky Shields of Hurricane attended the Children’s Museum opening with her 10-year-old daughter, Megan, and Megan’s friend Madison Bingham, who were eager to go inside.

“My daughter had come with my in-laws when they had the pre-opening, and they said how incredible it was,” Shields said.

Pauley Betsuie of St. George took his daughters for root beer floats before heading out to Sand Hollow Aquatic Center to swim. The city celebration provided an opportunity to do something fun with the kids while his wife worked, he said.